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Alzheimer’s Association Offers Resources

and Support for Those Battling Dementia

There are currently that we take steps to ensure dents serve as unpaid family caregivers,
more than 580,000 primary care physicians and providing over 1.3 billion hours of
Floridians aged 65 and other providers across the unpaid care. Approximately two-thirds
older living with state are fully prepared to of caregivers are women, and one-third
Alzheimer’s. It is expected meet current and future of dementia caregivers are daughters.
that this number will dementia care needs,” said “The 2020 ‘Facts and Figures’ report
grow to 720,000 by 2025. Tracey Wekar-Paige, execu- shows that Alzheimer’s disease and other
Physicians worry that the tive director of the Southeast dementias continue to be a significant
medical profession is not Florida Chapter of the burden for too many Florida families,”
prepared to face this Alzheimer’s Association. Wekar-Paige said. “We must continue to
demand and believe that “The Alzheimer’s Association work aggressively to advance new treat-
there aren’t enough is committed to helping pri- ments that can stop or slow the progres-
options for continuing Tracey Wekar-Paige mary care physicians and all sion of Alzheimer’s, while also continu-
education and training. who provide care to Florida ing to provide care and support services
They also agree that dementia care is a residents living with Alzheimer’s and to help all those affected.”
rapidly evolving area of medicine that other dementias.”
requires ongoing learning and training. Alzheimer’s disease is the most expen- For those battling dementia and their
In 2019, there were 348 practicing geria- sive disease in the United States, costing loved ones, the Alzheimer’s Association
tricians in Florida. It is estimated that $305 billion a year. In Florida alone, offers numerous educational resources, pro-
1,365 are needed to meet the future there are 1,565 emergency department grams and support. To learn more, visit
dementia care needs of Florida’s seniors visits per 1,000 people with dementia. www.alz.org or contact the Alzheimer’s
in 2050. Due to the cost of the disease many Association 24/7 Helpline
“With the number of Florida residents families can’t provide paid care and are at (800) 272-3900.
living with Alzheimer’s and other demen- left caring for their loved ones on their
tias increasing, it’s critically important own. More than 1.2 million Florida resi-

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